Temporary Resident Visas

Temporary Resident (Visitor) Visa applications should be submitted at least 21 days before the expected day of departure.

In most cases, the processing of a visa application requires between one and three weeks, sometimes more. You should submit your visitor visa application at least 21 days before your expected day of departure. If possible, submit your application 2 or 3 months before departure.

If you have travelled frequently to Canada in the past, we encourage you to apply for a multiple entry visa.

Citizens of Cuba require a visa to enter Canada. If you are a citizen of another country, please confirm if you require a visa to visit Canada.

How to Apply for a Temporary Resident (Visitor) Visa.

If you are visiting friends or family (i.e. a private visit), you must submit the following with your application:

• Application for a Temporary Resident Visa and Havana Supplementary form fully completed and signed.
• A valid passport valid for at least 12 months.
• Old passports bearing proof of previous travel abroad, if applicable.
• Two recent passport-size photos of each traveller (with the traveller's full name written on the back).
• Letter from employer indicating length of service, salary and period given for vacations, if applicable.
• Proof of financial situation, salary receipts, deeds on properties, etc. Applicants must submit original documents and a set of copies.
• If you are going to Canada to visit friends or relatives, you will need a fax or letter of invitation from Canada providing details of the purpose of the invitation. The invitation does not need to be certified at the Cuban Embassy or Consulate in Canada. The invitation must include the full name, contact details, immigration status, and signature of the person inviting you, as well as proof of his / her financial situation (Income tax notice of assessment, employment letter, bank statement, etc).
• If you are under the age of 16 and travelling alone or with only one parent, you will require a notarized authorization to travel from the non-accompanying parent(s).
• Photocopies of the identification cards of the immediate members of your family ( children and spouse).
• Fee payment at Banco Metropolitano.
• Photocopies of the birth certificates or national ID cards of you children in Cuba, whether or not they are travelling, if applicable.

If you are visiting a Company, Organization, or Government (i.e. a business or official visit), you must submit the following with your application:

• Application for a Temporary Resident Visa and Havana Supplementary form fully completed and signed.
• A valid passport valid for at least 12 months.
• Old passports bearing proof of previous travel abroad, if applicable.
• Two recent passport-size photos of each traveller (with the traveller's full name written on the back).
• Letter from employer (ACOREC, CUBALSE, etc.) detailing:
  1. position in the company or organization;
  2. reason for the trip and length of stay;
  3. who is paying for the trip;
  4. why this person has been chosen to travel; and
  5. if the applicant works for a joint venture, in addition to the Cuban Employment Letter (ACOREC, CUBALSE, etc.), please submit a similar letter from the associated company.
• A letter of invitation from the host, detailing:
  1. the reason for the visit and length of stay;
  2. who is paying for the trip; and
  3. why this person has been chosen to travel.
• A letter of invitation from the host, detailing: (1) the reason for the visit and length of stay; (2) who is paying for the trip; and (3) why this person has been chosen to travel.
• Photocopies of the identification cards of the immediate members of your family ( children and spouse).
• Fee payment at Banco Metropolitano.
• Photocopies of the birth certificates or national ID cards of you children in Cuba, whether or not they are travelling, if applicable.

If you only want a Transit Visa:

You can request a Transit Visa if you are seeking to enter Canada for less than 48 hours and you are:

• staying on the airplane; or
• staying in the airport transit area in Canada,
• before the continuation of a journey outside Canada.

You must submit:

• Application for a Temporary Resident Visa and Havana Supplementary form fully completed and signed.
• A valid passport valid for at least 12 months.
• Two recent passport-size photos of each traveller (with the traveller's full name written on the back).
• Confirmed flight, plane ticket and itinerary,
• Visa from the country of final destination (if one is required),
• If applicable, supporting letter from the sponsoring ministry or employer,
• No fee is required.

All the information you wish to be considered when assessing your application, should be submitted in writing along with the paper application.  You must choose yourself and submit in writing all the documents and reasons that you consider relevant to satisfy the visa officer that you are a bona fide temporary resident to Canada. 

The visa officer will conduct  a personal interview  only  when there is insufficient information on the paper application to make an informed decision, or when clarifications are necessary. 

Your application will be assessed on the basis of the documentation you submit. Failure to provide complete, truthful and accurate material may result in your application being refused, possibly without an interview.

We require only one application per family unit. Dependent children 18 and older should complete and sign their own application form. Dependent children 16 and older should be available for interview.

For further information concerning Temporary Resident Visas, click here.